Flexible joint



Oct. 26 1926.

I I BY 1,604,925 A. S. MACDONALD FLEXIBLE JOINT Filed August 5, 1923 5 sheets she'et 1 Z8 45 5 2,2 27 W J 29 J3 4 2a 26 i QQQ m7 N VE N TOR A TTORNEM? Oct. 26 ,1926. 1,604,925

Y A. s. MACDONALD FLEXIBLE JQINT Filed August 5, 1923 5 shoats shiit 2 mom's; v INVENTOR BY v g v A TTORNE Y5 Oct. 26 1926.

1,604,925 A. s. MACDONALD FLEXIBLE JOINT Filed August 3, 1923 5 Sheets -Sheet 3 III/IIMIIIWIII/IIIIII/I/IIIII/J inf/9W.

(; ATTORNEYS Oct. 26,1926. 1,604,925

A. S. MACDONALD I FLEXIBLE JOINT Filed August'S, 1923 5 sheets -shet' 4 "WA 55$ uyvE/v'mle Y ATTORNEYS Oct. 26 1926.

A. s. MACDONALD FLEXIBLE JOINT Filed August 5, 1923 mum!!! INVENTQR 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 26,

UNITED .sTATes v 1,604,925 PATENT orricrif v r 1 r g ANGUS S. MACDONALD, OF GREAT NECK, YQRK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN MENTB, TO SPISCEB MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SOUTH PLAINFIELD,'N

.irinsmr, A coaronn'rron or I rmxmm JOINT.

Application med mat 3,

My invention relates to flexible'oints for torque transmission, and is particu arly use ful in automotive propeller shaft assemblies, to take care of misalignment or variationin the relations pf parts. I aim to provide a simple, effective, durable, and inexpensive type and construction of joint for such pur driving and driven shafts, and a flexible disc member interposed between the spiders and bolted to the feet of each in alternation. Ordinarily, the .flexible member of such a joint consists of one or more annular discs out or punched out of heavy sheet material, a procedure involving considerable waste of the material. This disc material is composed of layers of basket-weave cotton duck, 'or canvas, calendered with friction material (rubber) and vulcanized together. Such discs depend on the reinforcing fabric for strength, and on the rubber mainly to hold the fabric cords or threads together and to. transmit and distribute the stresses amongst them. e Large spider feet and bolt heads are provided, and alsowashersbetween the discs '(where several discs are used), in order to clamp the discs laterally and distribute the stresses over as wide areas as possible.

With, such a construction, nevertheless, the stresses are quite irlpgularly distributed, and

j the strength elements (the cords or threads of'the fabric) are.poorly disposed to develop and maintain their resistance to stress. 1 For, in the first place, many of the cords or threads are interrupted at the bolt holes, so

that they can be of service only in so'far as shortlengths at their ends can be effectively gripped by compression of the rubber under the eorresponding bolt heads, etc. Second 1y, however .the bolt holes may .be arranged relatively to. the. weave of the. fabric, the lines of stress frombolt hole to bolt hele' .cannot possibly have the. most favorable relation to all the cords alllthe way around the 'oint. Thirdly, the cords of each ,fabric ayer -make a large angle with one another I (usually about a right angle), so tha y fiipfi' l' ible structure. be constructed as a disc'of rubberized labric 1923. Serial No. 65am).

their relative movement in service (under the lateral flexure and other distortions to which the flexible member is subjectcd) they tend to saw one another in two at all interscctions,and the like,.indeed,-may be more or less the case as between cords in ad acent fabric la ers. F ourthly, under service con-' ditions t 1e disc material is always partly in tension and partly in compression; and the latter causes rapid deteriorationof the disc compressive stress. Also, the joint is sub -ject to whipping or running out (as it is preferred embodiments of the invention here shown and described give excellent dynamic 7 balance, and are substantially free from whipping or running out. They afford great range or' freedom for endwise axial variation and "movement between-the interconnected parts; They present great uniformity as regards stresses and eflective strength in the flexible structure; and this structure is freejfrom compression, sawing action in its strength material, or other specially injurious eflects. ments are so disposed as not only to take the stress to the best advantage, but also to reinforce one another effectually and to afford ample resistance against side pressure. The

- structure, which is but ill adapted to endure The strength ele- 35 strength elements need not be interriipted by bolt holes, and practically no material at all need'be wasted in making up'the' flex- The flexible structure canwithout any of the disadvantages of the ordinary rubberized canvas disc. In action, the whole of this structure works in unison. All the strength elements ,take substantially the same load, and are stressed the same'way all the time; Accordingly, the joint is well adapted to transmit even veryheavy-torque.

In. the drawings Fig. 1 shows an axial section through a 1' int conveniently embodying inyinyention:

- Fig. 2 shows a view of the jointfrom the right of Fig. '1, with one part in section, as indicated b the line 22 in 1, and with Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the flexible structure and an associated part, on alarger scale than Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. l is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrat' ing a somewhatsimpler joint.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figs. 1 and i, illustrating a still simpler form of construction than shown in either of those figures.

Fig. 6 is a view generally similar to Fig. 2, illustrating diflerent forms of various parts.

Fig. is a view similar to Figs. 1 and e, illustrating a still simpler joint embodying substantially the construction shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a section taken as indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows an axial section through a floating propeller shaft section with the associated flexible joint member attached, and illustrates provisions for adjustment of the grip or pressure on the inner disc periphenes. a

Fig. 10 is a side view of a flexible member for joint of the general typeillustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, withpart of its external layer removed to reveal underlying features.

Fig. 11 shows a radial cross section through the flexible member Fig. 10, taken as indicated by the line 11+11 in Fig. 10, but on a larger scale than that figure.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a reinforcing or anchorage device for the flexible structure or member.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a flexible member with a different form of reinforcement or anchorage.

Fig. lei is a view similar to Fig. 12, showing a portion of the reinforcement or anchorage that appears in section in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a'view similar to Figs. 12 and 13-, showing still another form of reinforcement or anchorage.

disc Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a' joint similar to that of Fig. 7, with provisions for ad justably gripping the flexible disc difl'erent from those shown inFig. 9, as well as certain other variations.

mental-y circumferential section taken as indicated byit'he use 17 17 in Fig. 16.-

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 16, illustrating further diflerences as regards the securing of the inner disc periphery.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side view of the ping means, with the outer gripping means Fig. 18. A

As shown in Fig. 1, my joint comprises a disc-like flexible structure or member 20 for couplingthe driving anddriven shaft sections 21 and 22 of an automobile propeller assembly, with its rim 23 connected to one of shown. in Fig. 18 and part of the gripthe sections by means indicated at 24' and its inner portion 25 connected to the other section (as shown, the hollow floating one) by means indicated at 26. The peripheral connecting means 24 has the form of a sheet metal shell 27, with one end channeled or grooved at 28 to embrace and grip the rim 23, and the other end flanged inward at 29 for lateral attachment by bolts 30 to a disc or flange 31 on the end of the shaft 21. The nuts of the bolts 30 are preferably welded or otherwise secured to the flange as indicated at 32. in the present instance,

the member 20 is-open at the center, and the central connecting means 26 has the form 3 of a channeled or grooved hub 33 within it,

with flanges 34, 35 embracing and gripping the inner disc periphery 25 tightly between them. As shown, the flange is integral with the body of the hub 33, while the flange 35 forms part of a separate sleeve welded on.

To permit ample freedom longitudinal movement of the for realtive parts, a slip joint may be provided between the hub 33 and the end portion 36' of the shaft- 22. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the shaft end 35 and the bore of the hub 33 have a tongue and groove configuration to afford longi tudinally sliding and anti-turning engagement between them. The drum-like structure 24 affords ample space for endwise variation of the shaft 22 to compensate for chassis variations and facilitate assembly on the-car. The slip joint at 33, 36 may be lubricated by making the shaft end 36 hollow, with one or more oil holes 37 out through its wall to the relatively moving surfaces, and from time to time filling the lubricant reservoir in the shaft. end here through a hole closed by'a pipe plug-39.

However, the end play-permitted by the" flexible member 20 itself is so great that a slip joint will only be required in rather extrenie cases.

To improve the hold of the connecting means 24, 26 on the member 20, the contact surfaces of the former may be appropriately iconformed to the latter, and the parts may be roughened, deformed, or otherwise given a positive anti-turning interengagement. As here shown, the engagement means 28, 341, 35 are circumferentially coexfensivewith .-the rims 23, 25 and have ridges 40, 41 extending radially and transversely acrossthe peripheral portions 23, 25, so asto bite. into l the latter. Preferably these portions 23. are thickened, and t-hegripping channel or groove sides have a corresponding reentrant or overhung conformation,-so as to give a greater area of contact and at the same time prevent the gripped 'material from squeezing out under the pressure. The ridges 40 of the outer gripping means ma be formed in thesheet metal either previously V 'P i or at the same t1me the channel sides are brought into their final reentrantly gripping relations to the rim 23 under heavy pressure,-'as' by a die-pressing operation. .The ridges 41- of the inner gripping means theperipheries' 23 and 25 may also be in1-' 7 proved'somewhat by preforming the latter with appropriate depressions 42, 'to'take.

the rid es, as shown in Fig.2.

' rim 23 may be ma (gripping means 28 on'the e still stronger and surer by securing its sides together at suitable The hold of the intervals, as-by rivets '44 extending through the thickness of the member (Fig. 3), so as to enable the sheet metal to sustain and exert greater pressure. As shown, the rivets 44 may extend eitherthrough the channel beads or lips at the base of the thickened rim 23,- or through the rim 23 itself and a member 45- embedded and extending cir-.

- and 2, as

cumferentjally therein as herein 'illustrated- -or both." As'shown, the inner rim" also has a circumferentially extending member 46. p I The construction shown irf Fig. 4 differs 'from that of Figs 1 and 2 in omitting the slip-joint feature. Accordingly, the gripping flanges 34; .35 are directly associated with the shaft -end 36, which is thus in effectfalso the hub 33 of Fig. 1. Variousparts and features are here ma1'ked-.with' the same reference characters as in Figs. 1 a means of dispensing with merely repetitive description.

prises a thin walled tube, and thefstouter end portion 36 consi'sts of a. separate part inserted and secured. in such tube--as by flanging over and welding the tube on a shoulder of the part 36 in Fig. 1, and by Isimplyweldin the tube end to'an abutting shoulder in ig. 4. In Fig. 5, the shaft section 22 is itselffof ample thickness, and is simply for iged out at one end'to form the flange 34-" bus the shaft-22 replaces the separately forgedend iece 36 ofFi 1 and 4, as wellas-the hub 3 of} Fig. 1. Q n manufacture, the parts, 20 and ma he slipped over the end ofthe' tube 22lbe ore for ing its flange atf34, and then brought bar to with repetitive description. 6 illustrates .a mode and positive anti-turning engagement between the gripping connective means 24, 26

and the rims 23', 25 different fromthat al-r 5w ready described in connection with Figs. 1

In Figs. land 4, the shaft section 22 com-v of confo rmity i circular. In Fig. 6, ,both peripheries of the member '20 are of anti-turning "profile oroutlines (polygonal) and the outer and im ner connective means 24', 26 are of like out lines. However, the anti-turnin ment resultin from'this conformity in the plane f revo ution .does not, of course, ex-

.clude other forms of'positive anti-turning engagement or connection, Fig. 6 also shows a bait end ofpolygonal form corresponding? to that of the inner engagement means 26, and thus in itself affording cf fective anti-turning engagement for thedatter in cases where'a slip joint is to be provided. However, the polygonal'features of engage- Fig. 6 are equally applicable to construe tions without s'lipjoints, such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Once more various parts and features are marked with the reference charactersused in Figs. land 2, to avoid repetitive description. J p

Figs. .7 and 8 illustrate a. construction like that of Fig. 5- with a rather thin-walled tubular shaft 22. As here shown, however, the construction of the connective means 24 differs from those of Figs. Land 4, The shell 27 is flanged outward at 29 instead of inward, so that the bolts 30 are much more readily. accessible when ihe= joint is being assembled in a carer taken down. Also, the flange 29 is not continuous, but consists rather of a plurality of separate outturned feet on the small end of the considsimilarly multilatedfiange or series of lugs 48 for engaging inside a shoulder 49 formed by a recess in one-side 6f the disc or flange 31, to center the-shell 27 properly with reference to the shaft 21. In other. respects, the

lUl)

joint may correspond either. to "Fig. 2 .or

to Fig. 6. Once again,various parts and features are -marked with the reference characters used in Figs. 1 and 2, as a means of dispensing with merely repetitive de scription.

As'shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4,5 and 7, the fiexible'structure of member 20 isf'progressively thicker from the outside toward the center, more or less, according to its corresponding -ciroumferentialdiminutioh so that its efiective strength as'against torsion will .be more' or less uniform throughout. It will also-be seen from these figures; and

-2 and 6 how, the. circumferentially extending members and 46 help to'swell out and-sustain the lateral protuberance of the peripheral portions, and thus anchor them more s'ecu'rel'yf to the connecting means 124, '26, besides reinforcing them structurally and affording additional (internal) 'torque transmitting connectio 'I he construction-show in Fig. 9 ditiei's and 2. Fig.-.2,thed1sc peripheries arefrom those of Figs. 1 to-8 as regards the shaft 22.

' At the left, the sleeve portion of the flange member 35 is turned the other way as compared with Fig. 7, and extends within the fieszibledisc opening at 25,-so1newhat like the hub of the flange 3a in Fig. 1. It is welded to the end of the hollow shaft 22 by the same weld that secures the solid end piece 36 within the latter. These parts and 36 are preferably forced on .and into the shaft 22 with a driving fit so tight as in itself to resistrelative rotationeffectually. The flange member 34: is in ellect a disc having a central opening provided with key projections 51 to engage in grooves 52 in the projecting shank 53 of the end piece 36, and is forced and held tight against the disc 20 by a castellated nut 54 screwed on the shank, and secured against working loose in any suitable manner. A sheet metal ring 55 fitting the disc opening at 25 closes the gap that would otherwise exist at the bottom of the corre-.

sponding driving channel between the parts 3 1 and 35, and prevents the disc portion 25 from squeezing into such gap.

it the right, the construction resembles that of Fig. 1, but lacks a slip joint. The hub 33 of the flange 34 is driven tight on the end of'the shaft'22, and welded to its extremity. This hub'33 is externally screw threaded. The flange member 35 resembles that to the left of Fig. 9'; however, it Sim-- ply fits snug on the hub 33 and is forced and held tight against the disc 20 by lock nuts 56 screwed on said hub 33.

At either end of the shaft 22 of Fig. 9, therefore, the securing means 26 can be tightened up on the inner periphery 25 of the member 20 from time to time, to compensate for wear'or softening of said member. Such adjustment will not usually be needed at the outer periphery 23, owing to the much greater area of gripping surface there. I

Figs. 10 to 1 5 illustrate (With'minor variations) a preferred mode of construction suitable for the flexible structure or member of Figs. 1 to 9. The particular structure 20 shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is circular like that of Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the strength material employed comprises flexible elements 60 ext-ending generally inward and outward from point-to point around the joint, iaa hollow configuration, converging toward its central region. In the present instance. they all run substantially radially of the joint when unstressed. When the jointis in service, they are under tension between the members 24, 26 that they interconnect, witlra tendency to deflect circumferentially one way or the other somewhat, according to the direction of rotation; so that under this condition, at any rate, they tend to lie at acute angles to the radial. (I. e., the direction vof such deflection is reversed when the automobile is backing. The tensile stress on the strength elements 60, however, is not reversed.) The resistance of the strength elements 60 to circumferential deflection is low at first, but progressively increases (at arapidrate) as the torque increases and each strength element changes or shifts from an initial right angle toward parallelism with the corresponding direction of torque stress. In other words, the disc is progressively wound up, under stress, with an advantageous cushion effect. there are several series or layers. of the convergently ranged strength elements 60 lying one over the other, and each substantially without a gap all the way around the structure 20, even at its outer periphery.

The strength-elementsSO of each series he in groups 61 of parallel individual threads extend through the bights of all the loops and serve to anchor them. In reference to this looped" arrangement of the cords, these members 45, 46 may be regarded as the principal connective means of the joint.

In practice, the structureflt) may be fabricated by winding the cord tape 61-back and forth about and circumferentially around the concentric rings d5, d6 asa central supporting means, in a substantially uniform manner, preferably with the edges of successive loops .or convolutions just touching at their outer bights. Owing to the smaller circumference ofthe inner ring 46, the successive tape convolutions 61 will necessarily overlap, fanwise, more and more toward their inner bights. as-shown in Fig. 10; and the disc 20 built up of the Successive layers so wound will. therefore,

increase in thickness toward the center substantially inproportion to the correspondingdecrease in 'circumference,and so be of uniform strength throughout. In other words,'the strength elements in any radial section of the disc are inversely proportional in amount to the lever arm or the torque affecting them. The cords in'various As here shown,

. contiguous radial tape lengths 61 will overforce out of the cords wit out. reciprocal e sawing action at intersect ons.

ing vulcanization.

lap at acute angles determined b the relation of the tape width to the ra iiot the rings 45, 46. For any reasonable ta 6 wi th, how

ever, these angles will always such as toafi'ord mutual su port and rein- After the tape 61 has bee wo mi, the who e' structure 20 may be-place in a' mold of suitable form and vulcanized, so as to press and consolidate it into one coherent solid mass of the exact ultimate form des1red,--'

all very'much as in the manufacture of ordinary rubberized laminated fabric discs such as described above. By suitable preliminary treatment of the members 45, 46. they may be caused to adhere to the rubber dur- If the peripheries 23, 25 are-to be deformed as at 42, 43 (Fig.

, 2) for cooperation withthe gripping means 28, 34, 35, this conformation can be given the peripheries by the vulcanizing mold, as wellas their protuberance.

- It will be seen'that besides pressing tightly on the ends of the radial strength ele' ments 60 and gripping ithem on the sides- 1 of the rings 45, 46, the connective means 24,

26 also engage these strength elements in side the outer ring 45, and outside the innerone 46 (b yirtueof the rentrant conformation of t e driving grooves orchannels at 28 and 34, 35), and even grip them tightly at these'points. On the other-hand,

the members 45, 46 in the bights of the cord loops swell them out laterally and thus positively anchor the loops against pulling .out of'the reentrant-sided channels 28, 34,

35,-even regardless of clamping action and,

of the rubber. As shown in Figs. 1; 3, 4,

5, 7 and 9,, the lips of the. channelsQS and- 34. 35 are eased or rounded to obviate any risk of their cutting the cords 60.

The members 45, 46 may have notches. projections or other irregularities or. local deformations to resist circumferential dis placement of the cord loops along them;

and these may advantageously correspond in position to the anti-turning conformation of the gripping means 28, 34, 35, so'as to cooperate therewith in preventing slippage of the disc, and also to facilitate likepreon-j formation of the peripheries'23, 25 (as at 42, 43 in Fig. 2) in'the vulcanizing mold, if

desired. For this purpose, members 45, 46.

of round wire (such as shown'in Figs 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9.and 11) maybe locally flattened,

radially-of the joint, as at in Fi .12, i

so as to present lateral projections.

inv Fig.--13 may likewise be flattened radially, as at 66 in Fi 14. (Such a triangular slzape permits t ecords to lie smooth and e se in the mold, as well as in the mem-. ber 20 when in service.) Or, again, if flat I round-edged wire be used, it maybe so ar-' ranged that its width shall lie radially of e bers 45, 46 of triangular wire, such as shown the joint and squeezed out radially to .a

width (t 'ckwise of the disc) about e ual to its original width, as shown at 67 in 1g.

15,--or simpl twisted at proper points. Flats 67 a out 2 long spaced 1" on centers would representfair practice. 3

In cases where great elasticity is desiredin the flexible structure 20, its strength ma .terial may consist of strips of textile fabric (preferably "with war s andwefts just alike) cut on the bias at a out 45, instead of weftless cord tape 51 such as described. above. Otherwise, its mode of construction in such case. need not difier from'thatabove described. In such a flexible structure, of-

course, the fabric strip will'be theultimate strength element or-unit, instead of the in.- T

dividual' cord 60 of Figs. 1 and 11 Figs. 16 and 17 show a construction resembling somewhat thoseof Figs. 7, 8, and 9,

especially that at the left of Fig. 9." Here i the end piece 36 of Fig. 9 is dispensed with,

and the-stout washer-like flangetmember 34 is forced and held tight against the flexible disc member 20 by a set of some four to six boltsor cap" screws74 that take into tapped holes in the hub of the stout flange mem- I ber 35' The screws 74'are locked proper adjustment by a wire 75 extending through holes in their heads. .Both flanges 34 and 35 are stouter" and stifi'er than in Fig. 7, so as r to exert greater gripping force on the inner disc periphery 25, and the gripping portion of the flange 34 is reinforced with radial anchorages ,45 and 46 are flattened in the planelof' the disc' and radially outward at 77,-=-instead of'the other way, as M65, 66,

67 in Figs. 12, 14 and 15,-.and;the gripping. faces, of the member 34, 35 have transverse.

ribs 78 that press the rein'foring material-$0 into the anchorage notch or seats of the disc 20 corresponding tot e flattening at'77. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 16,

these notches or seats extend all, the way around the enlargement at the inner disc periphery 25. 'Also', the aperture and the inner periphery. 25 are larger. in proportion to the overall diameter than in Figsfil or 7, for example and hence the gripping area 1s great: of and the" unit stresses are less. The joint is thusadapted for very heavy duty. Y

1m ribs 76 at its back. shown, the round I In Figs. 16 and 17 various parts and features are marked with the same reference characters as in Figs. 1 and 7 to 9, as a means of dispensing with repetitive description.

Figs. 18 and 19 show a construction quite similar to that of Figs. 16 and 17, but further modified. The disc 20 itself is more massive; rivets 44 extend through the outer gripping means 28 and theinward flattened port-ions 77 of the outer anchorage ;and

the cap screws or bolts 74 for the inner gripping means 34, 35 likewise extend through the entralarge flattened portions 77 of the "inner anchorage 46. As in Fig-S512, 14, 15, these anchorages or reinforcements 45, 46 may be made of wire of uniform section locally flattened. The holes for the securing means 44, 74 may be punched or drifte d-. in the flats 77, without the greater expense.

of drilling or reaming. The arrangement allows considerable variation in the size of the shaft 22 to be taken care of by mere variation' of the hole in the flange forging -35.

'Asshown, the heads of the. bolts 7 4 are exposed atthe back of the flange 35, so that they can be tightened, on occasion, without taking down any part ofthe joint; In practice, the fabricweinforcement 60 may be omitted from the ortions 80 of the member 20 in which are t e bolts 74 and the rivets 44 above mentioned, and-these portions (between the radial dotted lines) formed of tremely destructiye to the fabric disc 20,- and is adapted to, give long life under'heavy friction material or rubber merely without fabric. If desired, some rivets 44 may also. be provided at other points along the outer;

periphery 23, small enough (like those in Fig. 3) to pass between thecords without cutting them. As shown, even-"the rubber :may be omitted from the regions 80st the inner peripheral portion 25, so as toafiord recesses Br seats 80 for correspondmgly shapedrhdial ridges or lug members 81 on.

the gripping surfaces of the members 34 35;.

Besides taking the bolts 74, these mem ers ence it allows lower intensity of pressure 18 exduty. 4

In Figs. 18 and 19," again, the same reference characters as in other figures have been tensile loops,

the joint by the rubber at;

ented metal to rubber driving employed, in order to dispense with repetitive description.

What I claim is:

l. A torque transmitting flexible joint comprising a flexible disc of tensile cords and friction material increasing in thickness of the tensile cord material toward its center substantially in proportion to its corresponding circumferential diminution, in cqmbination with connecting members secured to said disc at its center and along its periphery.

2. In .a torque transmitting flexible joint, the combination of a flexible disc with channelled circumferential connecting means gripping the thickness of said disc at its peripheryand in positive anti-turning engagement with the disc, and c-ircumferentially extending reinforcement in the periph eral portion of the disc locally deformed to cooperate with said connecting means in preventing slippage of the disc therethrough. 3. A torque transmitting flexible joint comprising a-series of cords ranged side by side in a hollow figure and running at acute angles to the radial, when under service stress, and ,gripped by connective means at the center and the periphery of the series 4. A torque transmitting flexible joint comprising a series of divergent strength. elements ranged in a hollow figure, and inner and outer connecting members gripping the inner and outer ends of said strength elements and thus interconnected by them.

5. A torque) transmitting flexible jointcomprising a series of'cords running a general radial direction and gripped by connective means at the center and the periphery of the series.

6; A torque. transmitting flexible joint comprising inner. and outer connecting members, with lengths of tape interconnectin them and/overlapping fanwise. w

i. A torque transmitting flexible joint comprising a series of convcrgentlyranged and connective anchorage means extending along the series throng the bights of the loops. 1 j

8. A torque transmitting flexible joint comprising. inner and outer annular a11- chorages, cgl extendin back and forth about and circumferentiah the'cord outside the inner anchorage and inside the outer one.

19. A 'torque transmitting flexible joint comprising inner and outer rings,cord extending back and forth about and circumferentiallytaround said rings, and connecting means gripping the cord on each ring.

10. A torque transmitting flexible. joint comprising "inner and outer anchorages, cord tape wound .back and forth about and circumferential y around said Fanchorages; in a series of convolutions convergent and r j y around said anrchorages, and connecting means engaging neoaeaa increasingly overlapping toward the inner anchorage. and connecting means gripping the cord on each anchorage.

ll. :5. flexible torque transmitting joint disc with circumferentially extending reinforcement in a peripheral portion locally deformed for anti-slipping cooperation with connective means engaging such peripheral.

portion.

12. A torque transmitting flexible joint member with its strength elements running in generally radial directions from point to point -around it, and laterally protuberant gripping rims for co nective means.

13. A flexible rub erized oint disc effectively transmitting heavy torque; by virtue of a series of strength elements converging toward its center and successively overlapping at highly acute angles, so as to reinforce one another substantially without back and forth between and about the rings;

and circumferentially around them.

structure comprising inner and outer, anchorages and tape Wound back and forth :about and circumferentially around said anchorages, in a series of convolutions slightly converging and lncreasinglyoven overlapping toward the center of the series. 18. The method of fabricating a flexible comprises ranging lengths of .calendered strength material fanwise in a hollow series,

successively overlapping at acute angles,and vulcanizingthem together into a coherent structure. I

19. The method of fabnicating a flexible torque transmitting joint member which comprises folding calendered strength material backand'forth in a series of convergent lengths ranged in hollow configura- I tion, and vulcanizing them together into a coherent structure.

20. The method for tabricatlon of a flexible torque transmitting joint structure which comprises Winding the strength material in a ser es of convergent loops ranged in hollow configuration and successively overlapping at acute angles.

21. The method for fabrication of a flexible torque transmitting joint structure Which comprises winding the strength ma terial back and forth about and circumferentiallyaround annular supporting means. 22. The method of fabricating a flexible torque transmitting joint member which.

comprises Winding calendered strength material back and forth about and circ'umfen entially around annular anchorages one Within the other, and forming and vulcaniz; ing the whole into a coherent disc'with outer and inner rims laterally protuberant in correspondence with the presence of said anchorages.

23. In a torque transmitting fiexible joint,

the combination of a flexible disc with ex- 'ternal recesses in its peripheral surface,

connecting means gripping the disc periphery, and torque-transmitting ,members engaged in its aforesaid recesses. 24:. In a torque transmitting flexible joint, the combination of a flexible disc, connecting members for gripping the disc periphery, and means embedded in the thickness of the disc affording internal torque V transmitting connectionto the disc through 17. A. flexlble torque transmitting jointsecuring means holding said members together. i

necting means gripping its periphery, and torque-transmitting reinforcement embedded in the disc periphery and in metal ANGUS s; MA'onon Ln a torque transmitting flexible joint, the combination of a flexible disc, con

tometal connection with said connecting torque transmitting oint member which 

